1) Teens and tweens are increasingly relying on social media like Snapchat and Instagram for social connection and emotional support during the pandemic. 2) Social media can also benefit developing brains by allowing creativity through platforms like TikTok which reveals human creativity. 3) However, overuse of social media can negatively impact mental health, as seen in millennials struggling with greater rates of depression and anxiety partially due to constant connectivity and fear of missing out (FOMO) on social media.

1. Understanding the Effect
Social Media Can Have on
Developing Brains
EDUC350—Digital Literacy
Summer 2020

2. As such, young people and their parents, for that matter,
around the world are turning to various apps and social
media platforms en masse for emotional support and social
connection in the wake of a global pandemic. Those bored
and isolated teens and tweens continue to rely on their
traditional favorite platforms, notably Snapchat and
Instagram. In fact, studies conducted before COVID-19 hit
show that 75% of teens use those two platforms, both of
which allow users to share images and short videos.

3. Social media may also serve as an outlet for creativity, which is crucial during times of
social isolation when young people aren’t able to express themselves in a physical
classroom space. In this way, social media may even benefit the developing brain, rather
than stifling it. In fact, the American Institute of Economic Research (AIER) recently
published a study on the connection between TikTok and human creativity.
Among social media platforms, TikTok is the new kid on the block, but it’s already
immensely popular among young people and has even launched musical and dance
careers. Users can create short, fun videos and share them far and wide with TikTok’s
more than 800 million global users. According to AIER, TikTok “reveals the untapped
creativity of the human mind.” In this way, the platform allows young people to freely
express themselves without fear of online trolls or unkind comments that can negatively
impact self-esteem.

4. The Negative Effects of Social Media Overuse
Of course, social media isn’t all about human connection and self-expression. There’s also a dark side to
technology, most notably in the realm of mental health. And we can learn a lot about the ways in which
social media impacts brain health from millennials, sometimes called the “burnout generation.”
Millennials are considered the first generation to grow up in a world saturated with technology and the
internet. And they seem to be paying the price for that constant connectivity. According to Fiscal Tiger,
millennials are “struggling with mental health in greater numbers than older generations,” notably
depression. Social media seems to be at the crux of the issue, as millennials are particularly susceptible to
its negative elements, including the concept known as FOMO, or fear of missing out.
While it sounds arbitrary, FOMO can be a serious matter for young people longing for social connection or
who desperately want to fit in. The idea that one is missing out on important events or life milestones can
negatively impact self-esteem, fueling anxiety and depression. FOMO can effectively snowball into
something more serious, and that negativity can be difficult for young people to break free from.

5. Mental Health Warning Signs
Unfortunately, it can be more difficult to recognize the signs of poor mental health during times of
mandatory social isolation. Seclusion ultimately affects everyone, no matter our age, and not in a positive
way. Depression and anxiety are common symptoms of continued isolation, and no amount of social media
and online connections are necessarily going to improve the situation.
Yet parents, educators, and caregivers should be aware of the warning signs of depression, whether it’s
related to the overuse of social media, social distancing, or an underlying mental health condition.
Continued depression and anxiety can wreak havoc on the developing brain, effectively masquerading as
the new normal and severely impacting cognitive function.
It’s important to note that depression related to temporary events, such as social isolation, is typically
fleeting and less serious than clinical depression. Either way, depressed young people may exhibit
symptoms including insomnia, irritability, persistent sadness, and the loss of interest in daily activities. And
a constant reliance on social media can compound those symptoms, most notably when cyberbullying
enters the picture.

6. Final Thoughts
Social media and technology are an undeniable part
of our children's lives. While social media does indeed
have positive aspects, its overuse can be detrimental
to the mental health of young people. Educators
should be on the lookout for mental health warning
signs, and work to highlight the positive role
that technology and screen time can play in our daily
lives.